We found a Dog:

On his way home from work this week, my husband found a dog.  A very special dog.  You can tell this lost soul once had a home.  He is friendly and obedient and full of personality.  He’s even been fixed.  We decided to call him Sammy.

My husband said that when he stopped the car, Sammy ran to him immediately.  Per the neighbors, Sammy had been wandering around our neighborhood all day.  Yet no one tried to help him.

Courtesy of wenday

Because he had no tags, we took Sammy to our vet to check for an identifying microchip.  Nothing.  A dog with no tags and no chip.  Why?

Fliers went out that evening, featuring Sammy’s picture and pertinent info.  No calls.  The next morning ads were placed with two city newspapers and Craig’s List.  No response.  Descriptions of Sammy were given to the local pound as well as those in neighboring suburbs.   Still nothing.

After several days we were forced to consider the real possibility that Sammy had been dumped.  Where’s the compassion?

In case you haven’t figured it out…I’m a dog lover.  Actually, I feel passionately about all little animals.  These creatures offer us unconditional love.  They don’t see our “bad hair days” or the fact we’ve gained a few pounds.  They don’t judge our fashion or our friends.  When we offer them love they give it right back to us.

Sammy has since been cleaned up and is now current on his vaccinations.  He’s come to live with us until we are able to find the perfect home for him.  Did we have to pay to have him groomed and medicated?  Of course.  But we don’t think of it that way.  We look at Sammy as a chance to give something back.

Sammy will go on to live in a safe and happy home.  And we will feel the satisfaction of knowing our time and money went to a good cause.  He will be happy, as will the family lucky enough to adopt him.

As our society now moves at a breakneck speed, we sometimes feel forced to streamline our interactions with others.  Emailed invitations, notes and thank-you’s vs. handwritted letters and cards.  Text messages vs. phone calls.  Skype vs. personal visits.

Compassion for others has become a casualty of our fast paced society.

I encourage you to look at this year as being the perfect opportunity to consciously look for opportunities to practice compassion.

Why this year?  During tough economic times, contributions to charities are often times affected.  If your donations will be decreased by the economy this year, think smaller.  Start in your own home, neighborhood or city.  Be kind to your family and pets.  Watch out for your neighbors.  Practice compassion.  Start small if you like.  Just take those baby steps.

And with every good deed, know that you are being charitable-even without a big monetary donation.  And no, good deeds can’t be written off taxes.  But please do them anyway.  I promise, practicing compassion helps make us all feel whole and good.

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